MALAYA: BRP SIERRA MADRE STAYS IN AYUNGIN SHOAL

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Despite the insistence of China that Ayungin Shoal — which it calls Ren’ai Reef — is part of China’s Nansha Islands, National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya has stood firm that the Philippines remained committed to keeping the grounded BRP Sierra Madre world war two ship to assert its maritime claims to the area.

The NSC official said on Wednesday (3 April 2024) that the Philippines will continue to resupply troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

“Our commitment to maintaining BRP Sierra Madre will always be there. The Philippines will meet any attempt by China to interfere with the resupply missions in a fashion that protects our troops, both those doing the RoRe missions and those that are in LS-57,” Malaya stressed during a maritime forum in Quezon City.

He said the NSC was aware of the public’s frustration with the situation in Ayungin Shoal, where Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia vessels have consistently used water cannons and executed dangerous maneuvers against Philippine supply vessels.

“I know the mood of the public is frustrated. We know the people are frustrated. We have made recommendations to the president about a host of responses to what is happening in Ayungin Shoal to address all these issues. No one is happy that our servicemen are getting hurt,” Malaya quipped.

China has also repeatedly demanded the removal of BRP Sierra Madre from the shoal, citing an alleged past promise by the previous Duterte administration.

Ex-presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Tuesday (2 April 2024) said that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made no specific “agreement” on Ayungin Shoal.

He claimed that the pact made with China was to “respect the status quo” in the entire West Philippine Sea.

For his part, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. pointed out the importance of accountability given the supposed “gentleman’s agreement” with China regarding the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

“While we realize that accountability is important in the issue of whether or not a so-called ‘gentleman’s agreement’ was forged with China regarding the BRP Sierra Madre and Ayungin Shoal, we, Filipinos, must not lose sight of the fact that the main threat to our rights in the WPS (West Philippine Sea) is the Chinese government’s illegal activities,” Teodoro said.

(el Amigo/MNM)